Keeping Your Resume Manageable and Avoiding Clutter

When you begin to look for a new job, it's imperativeprocess. If you worked at your last employer for over
to update your resume with exciting and valid new20 years, you could keep the job information but
information. Most likely you were able to gain a greatadjust what details you share.
deal of experience in your latest position, so you shouldOn the other hand, if you've had a number of
have plenty to add to your resume.employers, you not only will want to rethink what
There's a problem, though; with all of the new data thatdetails should be included under each position, but also
you've added in, your resume is too cluttered andrethink which positions should be included. Much of this
unreadable. So now, your job is to declutter it beforewill be determined by the job you're applying for. Try to
sending it out to be considered. Here are some tips tofind details in your job history that match up with what
help you clean it up...your potential new employer is looking for. That could
Rethink Your Career Goalmean that you might eliminate some details from each
One way to clean up your resume is to rethink exactlyjob, or eliminate some jobs if they're not relevant.
what it is you're looking for in your career. RegardlessWhat Would You Want to See (if You Were an
of how good you were at your last job, you may feelEmployer)
inclined to look for something that doesn't resembleOne great way to eliminate unnecessary information
your old position in the slightest. You may feel ready tofrom your resume is to take the position of an
shift gears a bit.employer as you read it. Think about what you would
Or you may want to remain in the same area, but withlook for if someone was coming to work for you. You
a more specific focus. Whatever your goal may be, it'smight look for keywords rather than reading the entire
important to define it and use it to guide you throughresume, particularly busy. You might also look for
the rest of the resume. You can get quite an edge intechnology that you wouldn't have to train them on, as
your job search by developing your focus a little--thiswell as any awards that show just how extraordinary
will allow you to see what your potential employersthey really are. As you're writing your resume, it's good
see, and you'll be much better equipped to evaluateto think in terms of what an employer may want to
your strengths and weaknesses.know about you.
Clean Up Your Employment History / WorkBy taking the steps necessary to declutter your
Experienceresume, you could give yourself career direction and
Another important step in decluttering your resume isensure that you present the best resume possible for
to clean up your work history. There are a couple ofposition you're applying for.
ways that you could approach this step in your